Cleansing is the first and very essential step in your daily skin care routine.

Cleansers can be creams, milks, lotions, gels and liquids. Cleansers are a mixture of oil, wax and water which have been formulated to go well with different skin types. Cotton -pad dipped in fresh milk available at home, is an equally useful cleanser.

The correct way to apply cleansers on your face is in an upward and outward movement. The skin should not be stretched out, dragged or pulled. Put down the cleanser on for a minute or two so as to release the dirt and make up. Remove it either by a cotton wool or with a tissue paper, again using an upward and out ward movement. At last rinse with water.

Masks

Generally all face masks have some sort of a cleansing action. Different ingredients are used in the masks, depending on the skin type. Clay, form an important ingredient of many face masks. It helps to remove dirt, sebum, and dead skin so that the skin looks clean, and youthful.

Fullers earth is a particular type of clay often used in face packs. Fullers earth contains aluminium silicate. As it dries on the skin, it removes the superficial dead cells and blots up any excessive oil on the skin. It is therefore superb for an oily skin but should not be used on dry skin.

Also added to many masks are natural ingredients-cucumbers, curds, lemon juice and Brewer’s Yeast. It helps to restores the acid / alkali balance of the skin.

Toning

Various skin care products include cosmetics like skin fresheners, toners and astringents which mainly contains alcohol and water. These are used after cleansing the skin to tone up the skin; they also restore the acid/ alkali balance of the skin. Finally, wipe away any last traces of dirt or oil with a skin freshener or toner (cleansing milk) which suits your skin type. Non alcoholic fresheners are for dry and sensitive skin. Those containing alcohol (astringent) are for oily skin. People having combination skin should use toner and astringent.

Moisturizing

A moisturizer is particularly helpful for dry skins. Oil free moisturizers can be used for oily skins.

There are two types of moisturizers: Oil – in water emulsions and water -in -oil emulsions. The moisturizer you select should suit your skin type. For normal skins, a water based moisturizer containing a little oil is suitable. Sensitive skins and dry skins need moisturizers having high oil content.

Protecting

The sun is the environmental factor that is most harmful to the health and appearance of the skin. The Ultraviolet radiation from sunlight can cause permanent damage to the skin. It can cause the skin to sag, lose softness and form wrinkles.